Grateful Dead singer Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay has died aged 78.

The singer - who spent seven years in the legendary rock band as well as performing on chart-topping hits for both Elvis Presley and Percy Sledge - passed away on Sunday (02.11.25) at a hospice in Nashville "after a lengthy struggle with cancer".

A statement from Godchaux-MacKay's representative read: "She was a sweet and warmly beautiful spirit, and all those who knew her are united in loss.

"The family requests privacy at this time of grieving. In the words of Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, 'May the four winds blow her safely home.'"

Born in Alabama, Donna began her career as a session singer and performed backing vocals on the No.1 hits When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge and Elvis Presley's Suspicious Minds - as w

See Full Page